Putin announces world's 'most powerful' missile, nuclear tensions rise

Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia has successfully completed the test of a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missile 'Sarmat'. He described this missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons as the world's "most powerful" weapon. Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera reported that this missile could officially be added to the Russian military by the end of this year.

Footage broadcast on Russian state television shows Sergei Karakayev, commander of the country's strategic missile forces, reporting to Putin on the successful launch. Putin claimed that the destructive power of the 'Sarmat' missile is several times greater than any Western equivalent weapon and that it is capable of penetrating current and future missile defense systems.

Moscow claims that this missile, known in the West as 'Satan-2', can have a range of about 35,000 kilometers. It will be used primarily to replace the Soviet-era Voevoda missile. At the same time, Russia is advancing several other sophisticated nuclear weapons programs, including the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, and the Poseidon underwater drone.

According to analysts, the global strategic balance has faced new uncertainties after the expiration of the New START nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States. In this situation, Russia's new missile program could further increase concerns in the international arena. Especially amid the war in Ukraine and tensions with the West, Moscow's announcement is being seen as a new show of strength in world politics.